Blue Jays ink veterans Ortiz, Langerhans

By Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays added to their depth on Tuesday afternoon by signing right-hander Ramon Ortiz and outfielder Ryan Langerhans to Minor League contracts.

Both players received invitations to Spring Training but are expected to begin the year at Triple-A Buffalo. There's also an outside chance that Langerhans will have a shot at earning the final spot on Toronto's bench in 2013.

Ortiz has spent parts of 11 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Angels, Reds, Nationals, Twins, Rockies, Dodgers and Cubs. He has an overall record of 86-84 and a 4.93 ERA in 296 games (214 starts).

The 39-year-old Ortiz last pitched in the Major Leagues during the 2011 season, when he posted a 4.86 ERA in 33 1/3 innings with the Giants. Last season, Ortiz made 27 starts for Triple-A Scranton of the Yankees organization and went 13-6 with a 3.45 ERA.

Toronto has a locked in starting five of R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero but is in the market for additional depth. Ortiz now joins J.A. Happ, Chad Jenkins and Justin Germano as potential injury replacements.

Langerhans spent most of the 2012 campaign with Triple-A Salt Lake of the Angels organization. He posted a .250 average with 11 homers and 54 RBIs while recording an .816 on-base plus slugging percentage in 96 games.

The 32-year-old Langerhans has appeared in parts of 10 seasons at the big league level with five organizations. He is a career .226 hitter and has the ability to play all three outfield positions.